Share

Domingo: We need to manage Rabada carefully

Cape Town - Proteas coach Russell Domingo says star bowler Kagiso Rabada needs to be managed carefully.

As a precaution, Rabada was rested for the second ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch due to a sore knee, but returned to deliver a stellar performance of 2/39, as the Proteas defeated the Black Caps in Wellington on Saturday.

Rabada made headlines last week when he became the only Proteas player bought at this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) auction and was sold to the Delhi Daredevils for close to R10m.

The fast bowler has had to deal with a lot of workload over the summer and still has to bowl a significant amount of overs in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, the Champions Trophy and the England away series.

Now with a lucrative IPL contract in hand, the Proteas will need to manage Rabada's busy schedule with care more than ever as they head into a busy period.

Leaving a bowler of Rabada's calibre out is tough, but Domingo believes the Proteas will be able to manage the paceman's workload.

"There's a fine line between resting players and winning a series," Domingo told reporters in Wellington after the Proteas defeated the Black Caps on Saturday.

"You got to manage the process quite carefully particularly for a young player like KG (Rabada)," the coach said.

"I've read somewhere that he bowled 200 overs more than anybody else in the last year. He's only 21 and Andile (Phehlukwayo) is only 20, so those are two bowlers who need a lot of management.

"But it's hard to leave KG out of the next game in Hamilton, he's a seriously good bowler and it's no coincidence that when he's back in the mix we look like a different side.

"But we need to manage that carefully."

The Proteas lead the five-game ODI series 2-1, with the fourth ODI taking place on Wednesday, March 1 in Hamilton (03:30 SA time).

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE